sports
February 13, 2026
From Vertigo to Van Gogh: 10 Things You May Have Missed at the Winter Olympics
Benoît Richaud is working on the ice with 13 countries, with uniform changes to match, and Korean skiers are having nightmares on wax
TL;DR
- Philipp Raimund won a surprise gold medal in the normal hill individual event, overcoming vertigo.
- Choreographer Benoît Richaud is working with 16 skaters from 13 countries, requiring quick costume changes.
- Ice technician Mark Callan gained viral attention for his 'moonwalk' while preparing the curling ice.
- Korean cross-country skiers Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin were disqualified for using banned fluorinated wax.
- Erin Jackson of the USA, a former inline skater, is defending her Olympic title in speed skating.
- Sarah Schleper became the oldest woman to compete in Olympic alpine skiing at nearly 47, with her son Lasse Gaxiola debuting in the same Games.
- Edson Bindilatti from Brazil embodies perseverance in bobsleigh, competing in his sixth Winter Olympics.
- Elis Lundholm became the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Winter Olympics.
- Climate change is raising concerns about the future of winter sports, with athletes petitioning for an end to fossil fuel sponsorships.
- Limited edition Olympic pins and merchandise are highly sought after by residents and visitors.
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